Fluid mixing devices



Sept. 5, 1961 E. P. AGHNIDES 2,993,928

FLUID MIXING DEVICES Filed Nov. 50, 1956 INVENTOR Elie P. Aghm'des BY /A M( ATTORNEYS United States Patent Officev Patented Sept. 5, 1961 9 3 FLUID MIXING DEVICES Elle P. Aghnides, 46 W. 54th St, New York 19, N. Y.

i d N 30, 1956, Ser. No. 625,448

7 Claims. (Cl. 239-431) The present invention relates to improvements in fluid mixing devices, particularly of the type described in my prior US. Patents No. 2,210,846, granted August 6, 1940, entitled Fluid Mixing Device, and No. 2,316,832, granted April 20, 1943, also entitled Fluid Mixing Device. Such devices may be employed, for instance, in aerating water; and they ordinarily comprise a, casing having therein an upstream diaphragm and one or more downstream screens, so proportioned and arranged with respect to each other'that a whitish bubble-laden coherent jet of water emanates from the casing- Such fluid mixing devices or aerators also include air inlets in the aforementioned casing either in the sidewall thereof or adjacent the discharge end thereof, and these air-inlets communicate with -a mixing chamber located between the aforementioned upstream diaphragm and downstream screen or screens.

In the past, fluid mixing devices or aerators, generally of the type described, have comprised a number of parts which are disposed within an aerator casing, and the number of these parts have often made manufacture and subsequent assembly or disassembly of the aerator relatively diflicult and have increased the possibility of incorrect assembly of the aerator, particularly after disassembly by inexperienced persons, for cleaning Purposes.

The present invention serves to obviate these difliculties and provides an improved fluid mixing device or aerator of improved construction, wherein fewer parts need be provided to produce efl ective aeration than has been the case heretofore.

It is accordingly an object of the present inventionto provide improved fluid mixing devices or aerators.

A further. object of the present invention-resides in the provision of a fluid mixing device or aerator having fewer parts than those suggested heretofore whereby the said device may be more readily manufactured, assembled and disassembled than has been the case in the past.

Still another object of the present invention resides in the provision of improved foraminous structures, particularly diaphragm structures, for use in fluid mixing devices. A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of an improved aerator or fluid mixing device which provides for fluid mixing in at least two successive steps whereby more effective mixing of fluids is achieved than has been the case in the past.

In providing for the foregoing objects and advantages, as well as for other objects and advantages which will become apparent from the subsequent description, the present invention contemplates the provision of a fluid mixing device having a diaphragm structure therein taking the form of two apertured discs spaced from one another and preferably interconnected to one another, thereby to provide a chamber therebetween wherein the stream or streamlets ofwater are surrounded by air. Each of the said discs preferably includes a plurality of apertures therein for the passage of fluid therethrough; and said chamber also includes one or more further apertures for admitting air to the region between the said discs, whereby a preliminary mixing of fluids or aeration of water occurs through the said discs. Admission of air to said region can be effected directly through 'a lateral air port. In addition, the apertured discs are so arranged with respect to one another that streamlets passing via apertures in the upstream one of said discs,

and thence via apertures in the downstream one of Said discs, impingeupon portions of said downstream disc, ,or the apertures thereof, whereby suflicient resistance is imposed to permit a fluidmixing to occur. As a result ofthis configuration, therefore, the fluid issuing from the apertures in the lowermost or downstream one of the said two discs comprises a mixed fluid or partially aerated liquid; and this partially aerated liquid can then be directed into a further mixing chamber whereby still furtherfluid mixing or water aeration can occur.

The foregoing objects, advantages, construction and operation of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

- FIGURE 1 illustrates an improved fluid mixing device constructed-in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of an improved disc structure of the type illustrated in FIGURE 1; 1

FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate variants of the structure shown in FIGURE 1; and

FIGURE 5 illustrates an alternative form of auxiliary mixing chamber constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, it will be seen that, in accordance with the present invention, an impr d fluid mixing device or aerator may comprise a.

leasing 10 having a first fluid inlet 11 adapted to be c0nnected-,-for instance by threads or other appropriate means, to a source of fluid under pressure such as a water tap. The said casing 10 also includes a plurality of-further fluid inlets such as air inlets 12, and a mixing screen 13 is disposed adjacent the fluid outlet 14 of the device. i

In accordance with the improvement of the present invention, an improved disc structure, acting as a diaphragm and as a preliminary mixing means, is disposed upstream of the air inlets 12; and this disc structure comprises a first upstream disc 15 preferably interconnected to a second downstream disc 16 by means of a link or hinge 17. The said discs 1516 and link 17 may be made out of plastics such as polyethylene, and the configuration of this structure in its expanded form will be more readily appreciated by examination of FIGURE 2.

In particular, it will be noted that disc 15 is of shell or cup-like configuration, and includes an annular rim 18 adapted to overlie the upper peripheral surface of disc 16 whereby the said discs 15 and 16 may be folded into superposed relation in the manner shown in FIGURE 1. When so folded, the discs 15 and 16 remain interconnected by the link 17; and in addition, a plurality of pins 19, attached for instance to downstream disc 16, may be provided for insertion into a plurality of holes or recessed cavities 24 provided in rim 18 of upstream disc '15, thereby to maintain the discs 15 and 16 in correct position relative to one another. When discs 15 and 16 are so bent one upon the other, the space between the two discs is sealed by rim 18, and in addition the upper side of upstream disc 15 acts as a washer.

Each of the discs 15 and 16 includes a plurality of apertures therein; and in the particular embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, upper holes .20 are provided in disc 15 with'the said holes 20 beingin alignment with a plurality of further holes 21 provided in downstream disc 16. Upper holes .20 are, in the parto the sealed regionrovided between su s a discs 15 and 16. P perposed p ced In operation, fluid under pressure may flow from inlet 11 via apertures 20 in upper disc 15 and thence via apertures 21 in lower disc 16 onto mixing screen 13. This flow of liquid causes air to be induced into the interior of the casing via air inlets 12, and a portion of this air passes via orifices 22 to the region between discs and 16. As the streamlets pass via apertures 21 in lower disc 16, they impinge upon the walls of said apertures 21 whereby the resistance aflorded to passage of the fluid streamlets through apertures 21 permits a preliminary lIllXlIlg of water and air, or preliminary mixing of fluids to occur when the streamlets are traversing orifices 21. As a result, the liquid issuing from orifices 21 in downstream dISC 16 is of a partly broken aerated nature, and these partly broken aerated streamlets then strike mixing screen 13 whereby a further aeration or fluid mixing occurs in the region between downstream disc 16 and fluid mixing screen 13. By so aerating water, or by so mixing fluids, m a plurality of steps, more effective aeration is accomplished than has been the case in the past; and moreover, it is found that fewer mixing screens, such as 13, need be provided than has been deemed necessary heretofore. In FIGURE 3 the air is admitted in the region between the two discs 15a16a through lateral air ports 31. The upper disc 15a is provided with feet 30 and the space between said feet connects with the ports 31. Additional holes, such as those marked 22 in FIGURE 1 could be provided in the lower disc 16a for the admission of air therethrough in the chamber upstream the screen 13. For certain applications of this aerator it is preferable not to provide such additional holes. In FIG- URE 4 the ring 40, in cooperation with disc 41, forms the row of holes 42 below the row of holes 43, with radial webs 44 forming said holes 42 in cooperation with ring 40. 45 is the air port leading to the space between the webs. If desired, a few of holes 43 could be omitted above the spaces formed by the webs 44 to permit the flow of air through said spaces not traversed by streamlets of water to the chamber downstream the ring 40. It is understood that an annular aerated stream instead of solid individual aerated streamlets can be obtained, if desired, by the omission of webs 44. However, in most cases individual aerated streamlets are preferable.

Many variations will be suggested to those skilled in the art, and it must be understood therefore that the foregoing description is meant to be illustrativebnly of structures producing aerated streamlets upstream the screen or other resistance means. As has. beendescribed, the preliminary mixing chamber may be formed by two superposed discs (FIGURES l and 3) or by a cooperating disc and ring (FIGURE 4) and air may be introduced to the preliminary mixing chamber through holes provided in one of the discs (FIGURE 1), through spaced feet on at least one of the discs (FIGURE 3), or-between spaced webs on a disc (FIGURE 4).- Other variations are possible, however. Thus, referring again to theembodiment of FIGURE 1, it should be noted that'separate aeration holes such as 22 need not be provided in lower disc 16, and the other holes in discs 15 and 16 could be randomly distributed with respect to one another, or could be purposely misaligned with respect to one another. Moreo ver in each of the embodiments discussed, the holes or orifices in the upper disc may be larger or smaller than those in the lower disc; and moreover, the number of holes or orifices in theupper-disc 'may be fewer or greater in number than those provided in the lowerdisc as long as the chamber between discs 15 and 16 is not flooded and preaeration interfered with. Again, while the upper disc 15 (FIGURES land 2) hasb een illustrated as having a dished configuration, it will be understood that-such a dished or shell-like configuration, may be provided for lower disc '16 alone, or for bothof 4 discs 15 and 16, thereby to provide the desired chamber between the two discs.

Still another form of preliminary auxiliary mixing chamber, constructed in accordance with the present invention, is shown in FIGURE 5; and it will be noted that this particular form of the invention again comprises a pair of superposed substantially disc-like structures 50 and 51. The upper disc 50, which is inserted into a portion of disc 51, as shown, is slightly dished in configuration and has a plurality of orifices 52, the axes of which are preferably inclined somewhat to the Vertical. Similarly, downstream disc 51 has further orifices 53 which are large in dimension than orifices 52; and the relative size and disposition of corresponding orifices 52 and 53 is such that streamlets of fluid passing through orifices 52 impinge angularly upon the walls 54 of downstream orifices 53 before being delivered from the downstream end of disc 51. Lower disc 51 also includes an orifice 55 adapted to admit air to chamber 56 between discs 50 and 51 as well as to the enlarged orifices 53; and such air is' mixed with the streamlets of water passing through orifices 52when those orifices are caused to impinge upon and meet the resistance of walls 54.

Many other variations will be suggested to those skilled in the art, and all such variations are meant to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim to have invented:

1. An aerator comprising a casing having a liquid inlet, an air inlet, and a jet outlet, means disposed within said casing between said liquid inlet and said air inlet for providing a substantially enclosed preliminary fluid mixing chamber having air and fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means therein, said means providing said preliminary fluid mixing chamber comprising an apertured disc and a ring disposed in nested relation to one another, means for maintaining said ring and disc in spaced relation thereby to define at least one air port for the admission of air to the region between said disc and ring, a main fluid mixing chamber within said casing downstream of said preliminary fluid mixing chamber whereby partially aerated liquid is discharged from said preliminary mixing chamber into said main mixing chamber, and a mixing screen downstream of said main mixing chamber for further mixing said partially aerated liquid with air from said air inlet.

2. A device for producing a jet of water containing air bubbles comprising a casing having a water inlet, an air inlet, and a jet outlet, mixing means adjacent said outlet, and a pair of perforated diaphragms extending across said casing in superposed spaced relation to one another upstream of said air inlet, means providing a side wall between said pair of diaphragms whereby said diaphragms and side wall cooperate with one another to provide a substantially enclosed chamber removable as a unit from said casing, the perforations in said diaphragms being so disposed relative to one another that streamlets of water passing via perforations in the upstreamone of said diaphragms impinge upon portions of the downstream one of said diaphragms before being discharged from the downstream one of said diaphragms, said chamber having an air port in a wall thereof for admitting air to the region between said diaphragms, whereby one or more partially aerated streamlets of water are discharged from the downstream one of said diaphragms past said air inlet onto said mixing means.

3. An aerator for producing a jet of water containing air bubbles, comprising a casing having a liquid inlet and a jet outlet, means disposed within said casing between said liquid inlet and said jet outlet for providing .a substantially enclosed preliminary fluid mixing chamber, an airport leading into said chamber, the chamber including holes in its upstream and downstream sides for the flow of water therethrough with said holes being so arranged with respect to one another that water flowing through a hole in the upstream side of said chamber impinges upon at least a portion of the downstream side of said chamber before emerging from a hole in said downstream side, whereby water flowing through said chamber between the upstream and downstream sides thereof encounters suflicient resistance adjacent at least the downstream side of said chamber to permit a preliminary mixing of air and water in said chamber, a main fluid mixing chamber in said casing downstream of said preliminary fluid mixing chamber, mixing means disposed downstream of and in the path of water from said preliminary fluid mixing chamber and said jet outlet, said holes in the upstream and downstream sides of said chamber being in substantial alignment with one another and being proportioned to deliver preaerated water into said mixing chamber without flooding said preliminary fluid mixing chamber, said mixing means being operative to further break up and mix said pro-aerated water and mix it with air.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said substantially enclosed preliminary fluid mixing chamber comprises upstream and downstream sides and means providing a side wall therebetween, said air port being disposed in said side wall.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said preliminary mixing chamber comprises upstream and downstream sides and means providing a side wall therebetween, said air port which is out of alignment with all holes in the upstream side of said chamber in the downstream side of said preliminary fluid mixing chamber which is out alignment with all perforations in the upstream side of said chamber.

6 An aerator comprising a casing having a liquid inlet, an air inlet, and a jet outlet, means disposed within said casing between said liquid inlet and said air. inlet for providing a substantially enclosed preliminary fluid mixing chamber having air and fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means therein, said means providing said preliminary fluid mixing chamber comprising an apertured disc and a cup-shaped structure disposed in superposed relation to one another, said cup-shaped structure including an apertured base portion extending substantially parallel to said disc and a transversely extending side wall contiguous with a peripheral portion of said disc for maintaining said apertured base portion and disc in spaced relation and for defining at least one air port for the admission of air to the region between said disc and apertured base portion, the cup-shaped structure having apertures in substantial alignment with those in the disc and small enough so that jets firom the disc will impinge on the side wall of the apertures in the cup-shaped structure to thereby break up the water and eflect a preliminary mixing thereof with air, the apertures in the cupsha-ped structure being large enough to discharge the water without flooding the preliminary mixing chamber, a.

main fluid mixing chamber within said casing downstream of said preliminary fluid mixing chamber whereby partially aerated liquid is discharged from said preliminary mixing chamber into said main mixing chamber, and a mixing screen downstream of said main mixing chamber for further mixing said partially aerated liqud with air from said air inlet.

7. An aerator comprising a casing having a liquid inlet, an air inlet, and a jet outlet, means disposed within said casing between said liquid inlet and said air inlet for providing a substantially enclosed preliminary fluid mixing chamber having air and fluid inlet means and fluid outlet means therein, said means providing said preliminary fluid rnixing chamber comprising a pair of apertured discs disposed in superposed relation to one another, means for interlocking said discs to one another adjacent their respective peripheries, said interlocking means including means for maintaining said discs in spacedrelation, means defining at least one air port for the admission of air to the region between said spaced discs, the downstream disc having its apertures in substantial alignment with those in the upstream disc and small enough that the jets from the upstream disc will impinge on the side walls of the apertures in the downstream disc and thereby be partially broken up and mixed with air, the apertures in the downstream disc being large enough to discharge the water without flooding the preliminary fluid mixing chamber, a main fluid mixing chamber within said casing downstream of said preliminary fluid mixing chamber whereby partially aerated liquid is discharged from said preliminary mixing chamber into said main mixing chamber, means for admitting air to said main fluid mixing chamber in addition to the air admit-ted to said preliminary fluid mixing chamber, and a mixing screen downstream of said main mixing chamber for further mixing said partially aerated liquid with said additionally admitted air.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,492,037 Freeman et a1. Dec. 20, 1949 2,510,396 Goodrie June 6, 1950 2,633,343 Aghnides Mar. 31, 1953 2,675,218 Bletcher et al. Apr. 13, 1954 ,738,798 Goodrie Mar. 20, 1956 2,738,963 Goodrie Mar. 20, 1956 2,787,452 Aghnides Apr. 2, 1957 2,793,016 Aghnides May 21, 1957 

